Faculty Opinions recommendation of The EML4-ALK fusion gene is involved in various histologic types of lung cancers from nonsmokers with wild-type EGFR and KRAS.

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth Palmer
Keyword(s):  
Fusion Gene ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Lung Cancers ◽  
Histologic Types

Recombinant Pseudomonas bio-nanoparticles induce protection against pneumonic Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peng Li ◽  
Xiuran Wang ◽  
Xiangwan Sun ◽  
Jesse Cimino ◽  
Ziqiang Guan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Fusion Gene ◽  
Membrane Vesicles ◽  
Outer Membrane Vesicles ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Generation Vaccine ◽  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Infection ◽  
Reduced Toxicity ◽  
Opsonophagocytic Killing ◽  
High Immunogenicity

To develop an effective Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) outer-membrane-vesicles (OMVs) vaccine, we eliminated multiple virulence factors from a wild-type P. aeruginosa PA103 strain (PA103) to generate a recombinant strain, PA-m14. The PA-m14 strain was tailored with a pSMV83 plasmid encoding the pcrV-hitA T fusion gene to produce OMVs. The recombinant OMVs enclosed increased amounts of PcrV-HitA T bivalent antigen (PH) (termed OMV-PH) and exhibited reduced toxicity compared to the OMVs from PA103. Intramuscular vaccination with OMV-PH from PA-m14(pSMV83) afforded 70% protection against intranasal challenge with 6.5 × 10 6 CFU (∼30 LD 50 ) of PA103, while immunization using OMVs without the PH antigen (termed OMV-NA) or the PH antigen alone failed to offer effective protection against the same challenge. Further immune analysis showed that the OMV-PH immunization significantly stimulated potent antigen-specific humoral and T-cell (Th1/Th17) responses in comparison to the PH or OMV-NA immunization in mice, which can effectively hinder PA infection. Undiluted anti-sera from OMV-PH-immunized mice displayed significant opsonophagocytic killing of WT PA103 compared to antisera from PH antigen- or OMV-NA-immunized mice. Moreover, the OMV-PH immunization afforded significant antibody-indentpednet cross-protection to mice against PAO1 and a clinical isolate AMC-PA10 strains. Collectively, the recombinant PA OMV delivering the PH bivalent antigen exhibits high immunogenicity and would be a promising next-generation vaccine candidate against PA infection.

Molecular characterization of Kita-Kyushu lung cancer antigen (KK-LC-1) expressing carcinomas.

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e21000-e21000
Author(s):  
Robert Hsu ◽  
Yasmine Baca ◽  
Joanne Xiu ◽  
Rongfu Wang ◽  
Joseph Nicholas Bodor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Molecular Subtype ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Cell Receptor ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Lung Cancers ◽  
Genome Medicine ◽  
M1 Macrophage

e21000 Background: Cancer/testis antigens (CTAs) are strongly expressed in some solid tumors but minimally expressed in normal tissue, making them appealing therapeutic targets. KK-LC-1 (CXorf61) has cytoplasmic expression in some types of gastric and breast cancer and reports of expression in one-third of lung cancer tumors. Here, we characterize the molecular subtype of lung cancers expressing KK-LC-1 to plan rational clinical trials of T-cell receptor therapy (TCR-T) targeting KK-LC-1. Methods: A total of 9790 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tumors that underwent whole transcriptome sequencing (Illumina NovaSeq) and NextGen DNA sequencing (NextSeq, 592 Genes and NovaSEQ, WES) at Caris Life Sciences (Phoenix, AZ) were analyzed. Tumors were split into quartiles based on KK-LC-1 expression and pathological and molecular differences were investigated. PD-L1 expression was tested by IHC using 22c3 (Dako) and TPS scores were reported. Immune cell fraction was calculated by QuantiSeq (Finotello 2019, Genome Medicine). Statistical significance was determined using chi-square/Fisher-Exact and adjusted for multiple comparisons (adjusted p < 0.05). Results: Adenocarcinoma had significantly higher KK-LC-1 expression than squamous cell carcinoma (median 3.25 vs. 1.17 transcripts per million (TPM), p < 0.0001). There is statistically higher expression of KK-LC-1 in pan wild type (3.95 TPM) compared to tumors with EGFR mutation (1.95 TPM), ALK fusion (0.6 TPM), MET exon-14-skip mutation (1.22 TPM), RET fusion (1.42 TPM), and ROS1 fusion (1.78 TPM). Tumors within the highest quartile of KK-LC-1 expression (Q4) had a greater proportion of TMB > 10 mutations per megabase (mt/MB) (44% vs. 28%) compared to Q1. No difference was seen in PD-L1 expression. In adenocarcinoma, Q4 had a higher TMB compared to Q1 (9 mt/MB vs. 5 mt/MB). There was a higher KRAS mutation prevalence in Q3/Q4 (34.8%/35.0%) than Q1/Q2 (22%/29%) but a lower ALK fusion prevalence in Q3/Q4 (1.0%/0.5%) compared to Q1/Q2 (3.3%/2.6%). Increased KK-LC-1 expression is associated with increased M1 Macrophage abundance. Conclusions: In our population, KK-LC-1 expression was higher in adenocarcinoma. Higher levels of KK-LC-1 expression were seen in pan-wild type and KRAS mutated tumors and associated with higher TMB while lower levels of expression were seen in driver positive cancers including EGFR, ALK, MET, RET and ROS1. TCR-T therapy directed against KK-LC-1 should be explored in patients whose clinical features reflect these characteristics.

Differential effectiveness of yeast cytochrome c oxidase subunit genes results from differences in expression not function

1987 ◽  
Vol 7 (10) ◽  
pp. 3520-3526
Author(s):  
C E Trueblood ◽  
R O Poyton
Keyword(s):  
Cytochrome C ◽  
Cytochrome C Oxidase ◽  
Fusion Gene ◽  
Single Copy ◽  
Chimeric Gene ◽  
Lacz Fusion ◽  
Null Alleles ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Oxidase Subunit

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, COX5a and COX5b encode two distinct forms of cytochrome c oxidase subunit V, Va and Vb, respectively. To determine the relative contribution of COX5a and COX5b to cytochrome c oxidase function, we have disrupted each gene. Cytochrome c oxidase activity levels and respiration rates of strains carrying null alleles of COX5a or COX5b or both indicate that some form of subunit V is required for cytochrome c oxidase function and that COX5a is much more effective than COX5b in providing this function. Wild-type respiration is supported by a single copy of either COX5a or COX5ab (a constructed chimeric gene sharing 5' sequences with COX5a). In contrast, multiple copies of COX5b or COX5ba (a chimeric gene with 5' sequences from COX5b) are required to support wild-type respiration. These results suggest that the decreased effectiveness of COX5b is due to inefficiency in gene expression rather than to any deficiency in the gene product, Vb. This conclusion is supported by two observations: (i) a COX5a-lacZ fusion gene produces more beta-galactosidase than a COX5b-lacZ fusion gene, and (ii) the COX5a transcript is significantly more abundant than the COX5b transcript or the COXsba transcript. We conclude that COX5a is expressed more efficiently than COX5b and that, although mature subunits Va and Vb are only 67% homologous, they do not differ significantly in their ability to assemble and function as subunits of the holoenzyme.

scholarly journals Spermine analogue-regulated expression of spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase and its effects on depletion of intracellular polyamine pools in mouse fetal fibroblasts

2009 ◽  
Vol 422 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Uimari ◽  
Tuomo A. Keinänen ◽  
Anne Karppinen ◽  
Patrick Woster ◽  
Pekka Uimari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Fusion Gene ◽  
Wild Type Mouse ◽  
Egfp Expression ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Protein Fusion ◽  
Reverse Transcription Pcr ◽  
Fetal Fibroblasts ◽  
Spermine Analogues ◽  
Ssat Activity

SSAT (Spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase, also known as SAT1), the key enzyme in the catabolism of polyamines, is turned over rapidly and there is only a low amount present in the cell. In the present study, the regulation of SSAT by spermine analogues, the inducers of the enzyme, was studied in wild-type mouse fetal fibroblasts, expressing endogenous SSAT, and in the SSAT-deficient mouse fetal fibroblasts transiently expressing an SSAT–EGFP (enhanced green fluorescent protein) fusion gene. In both cell lines treatments with DENSpm (N1,N11-diethylnorspermine), CPENSpm (N1-ethyl-N11-[(cyclopropyl)-methy]-4,8-diazaundecane) and CHENSpm (N1-ethyl-N11-[(cycloheptyl)methy]-4,8-diazaundecane) led to high, moderate or low induction of SSAT activity respectively. The level of activity detected correlated with the presence of SSAT and SSAT–EGFP proteins, the latter localizing both in the cytoplasm and nucleus. RT–PCR (reverse transcription–PCR) results suggested that the analogue-affected regulation of SSAT–EGFP expression occurred, mainly, after transcription. In wild-type cells, DENSpm increased the amount of SSAT mRNA, and both DENSpm and CHENSpm affected splicing of the SSAT pre-mRNA. Depleted intracellular spermidine and spermine levels inversely correlated with detected SSAT activity. Interestingly, the analogues also reduced polyamine levels in the SSAT-deficient cells expressing the EGFP control. The results from the present study show that the distinct SSAT regulation by different analogues involves regulatory actions at multiple levels, and that the spermine analogues, in addition to inducing SSAT, lower intracellular polyamine pools by SSAT-independent mechanisms.

The Mll-AF9 Fusion Gene Results in Overexpression of Homeobox Genes and Deregulation of Granulocyte-Monocyte Progenitors.

Blood ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 106 (11) ◽  
pp. 645-645
Author(s):  
Ashish Kumar ◽  
Weili Chen ◽  
John H. Kersey
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Young Adult ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem Cells ◽  
Fusion Gene ◽  
Homeobox Genes ◽  
Specific Cell ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Over Expression

Abstract Our understanding of the biology of MLL fusion gene leukemias is limited by the lack of knowledge of the effects of the different MLL fusion genes on expression of specific homoebox genes and the specific cell compartment(s) that are subsequently deregulated. In this study we investigated whether cellular deregulation was present in committed myeloid precursors and/or the multi-potent hematopoietic stem cells derived from Mll-AF9 knock-in mice. We used the murine knock-in model since it offers the advantage of a single copy of the Mll fusion gene under the control of the endogenous promoter that is present in every hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell. The Mll-AF9 knock-in mice display expansion of the myeloid compartment as early as 6 weeks of age (young adult) and develop myeloid leukemia at approximately 6 months. We purified hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and granulocyte-monocyte progenitors (GMPs) from wild type and Mll-AF9 young adult bone marrow. We depleted lineage positive cells using a magnetic separation system and purified the respective populations using fluorescence activated cell sorting with specific panels of antibodies (HSC=Li−/Thy1.1lo/IL-7R−/C-kit+/Sca-1+; GMP=Lin−/IL-7R−/Sca-1+/C-kit+/CD34+/CD16/32hi). We cultured these cells in methylcellulose supplemented with GM-CSF, IL-3, SCF and IL-6, conditions that promote the growth of myeloid colonies. We assessed growth deregulation by increased colony numbers at the end of 7 days of culture and by the predominance of dense, compact colony morphology, the latter comprised of immature myeloid cells. Culture of HSCs from Mll-AF9 and wild type mice yielded an identical number of colonies (1102 and 1315 colonies per 104 cells respectively, average). In contrast, GMPs from Mll-AF9 mice yielded almost four times the number of colonies compared to wild type GMPs (3331 and 920 colonies per 104 cells respectively, average). Additionally, Mll-AF9 GMPs formed a higher number of dense, compact colonies compared to Mll-AF9 HSCs (1314 and 352 colonies per 104 cells respectively, average). Neither HSCs nor GMPs from wild type mice formed dense, compact colonies. These results indicate a greater deregulation of GMPs compared to HSCs in Mll-AF9 mice. MLL fusion gene leukemias are characterized by over-expression of specific homeobox genes, and we have previously shown that Mll-AF9 bone marrow cells display increased expression of 5′ Hox-a genes and of the Hox co-factor Meis1 compared to wild type counterparts. We hypothesized that these genes are over-expressed in Mll-AF9 GMPs compared to wild type GMPs. Real time quantitative RT-PCR showed that expression levels of Hoxa7, Hoxa9 and Meis1 were increased in Mll-AF9 GMPs compared to wild type (2.7 ± 0.8, 11.7 ± 7.8 and 19 ± 11.3 fold respectively, mean ± SEM). Overall, these data support the hypothesis that the Mll-AF9 gene is “instructive” at the molecular level at least in part via specific homeobox gene over-expression, resulting in deregulation and expansion of specific progenitor/stem cells such as the GMP population. This expanded GMP population then becomes a target for secondary mutations and later development of leukemia. Future studies focused on understanding the biology of this compartment in Mll-AF9 mice will help in our understanding of the pathogenesis of leukemia and aid in the development of newer, more effective therapies.

Application of FASTTM Fragment-Based Lead Discovery and Structure-Guided Design to Discovery of Small Molecule Inhibitors of BCR-ABL Tyrosine Kinase Active Against the T315I Imatinib-Resistant Mutant.

Blood ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 106 (11) ◽  
pp. 698-698 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen K. Burley
Keyword(s):  
Tyrosine Kinase ◽  
Fusion Gene ◽  
Clinical Success ◽  
Philadelphia Chromosome ◽  
Myelogenous Leukemia ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Lead Discovery ◽  
Abl Tyrosine Kinase ◽  
Imatinib Resistant

Abstract The Philadelphia chromosome translocation creates a BCR-ABL fusion gene that encodes a constitutively active BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase, which gives rise to chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). The clinical success of imatinib (Gleevec) demonstrated that BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitors can provide effective treatment for CML. However, some CML patients treated with imatinib develop resistance leading to disease progression. The majority of resistance is due to point mutations in BCR-ABL, which give rise to active mutant enzymes that are insensitive to imatinib. In all, ~30 imatinib-resistant BCR-ABL mutants have been identified in clinical isolates. The T315I mutant represents ~20% of clinically observed mutations, making it one of the most common causes of resistance. Second-generation BCR-ABL inhibitors, including AMN-107 and BMS-354825, inhibit many of the clinically relevant mutants but not T315I. Mutant T315I BCR-ABL is, therefore, an important and challenging target for discovery of CML therapeutics. We have applied a proprietary X-ray crystallographic fragment-based lead discovery platform (FASTTM) and structure-guided lead optimization to identify potent inhibitors of wild-type BCR-ABL and the four most common mutants, including T315I. Our lead discovery efforts yielded five chemical series that inhibit both wild-type (WT) and T315I BCR-ABL. Compounds in our most advanced lead series potently inhibit proliferation of K562 cells and Ba/F3 cells with WT BCR-ABL and the four major clinically relevant BCR-ABL mutations (T315I, E255K, M351T, Y253F; see below). Further details describing in vitro and in vivo profiling of these novel BCR-ABL T315I inhibitors will be presented. Ba/F3 cell proliferation for BCR-ABL Inhibitors (EC50, nM) BCR-ABL Form Imatinib AMN-107 BMS-354825 SGX-70430 WT 790 33 12 11 T315I > 10000 > 10000 > 10000 21 Y253F 5700 370 8 334 E255K 8300 350 7 77 M351T 2000 38 28 15 Control Assay Ba/F3 (T315I) + IL3 > 10000 > 10000 > 10000 > 10000

Differential Expression of Mll-AF9 Up-Regulated Genes Correlates with Enhanced Self-Renewal of Hematopoietic Progenitors.

Blood ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 108 (11) ◽  
pp. 733-733 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashish R. Kumar ◽  
Wendy A. Hudson ◽  
Weili Chen ◽  
Rodney A. Staggs ◽  
Anne-Francoise Lamblin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Progenitor Cells ◽  
Fusion Gene ◽  
Expression Profiles ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Third Generation ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Self Renewal ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
The Third

Abstract In order to understand the pathophysiology of leukemia, we need to study the effects of leukemic oncogenes on the rare hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. We investigated the self-renewal capabilities of the various hematopoietic cell types derived from Mll-AF9 knock-in mice. We used the murine knock-in model since it offers the advantage of a single copy of the Mll-fusion gene under the control of the endogenous promoter present in every hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell. In methylcellulose cultures, we compared myeloid colony formation of Mll-AF9 cells to wild type progenitor populations over three generations of plating. In the first generation of plating, the Mll-AF9 common myeloid progenitors (CMPs) and granulocyte-macrophage progenitors (GMPs) formed more colonies than the hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and common lymphoid progenitors (CLPs). However, at the third generation of plating, colony numbers formed by Mll-AF9 HSCs and CLPs were significantly greater than those formed by CMPs and GMPs. By the third generation only occasional colonies were found in the wild type groups. These results demonstrate that while Mll-AF9 led to an increase in self-renewal of all 4 cell types studied, these effects were more pronounced in HSCs and CLPs. To identify the downstream genes that mediate the growth deregulatory effects of Mll-AF9, we compared gene expression profiles of Mll-AF9 derived cells to their wild type counterparts. To assess gene expression levels, we extracted RNA from wild type and Mll-AF9 HSCs, CLPs, CMPs and GMPs. We then amplified and labeled the RNA for analysis by Affymetrix murine 430 2.0 genome arrays. In an unsupervised analysis, the various Mll-AF9 cells clustered with their corresponding wild type counterparts, indicating that the expression of most genes was not significantly altered by Mll-AF9. To identify the genes that are differentially expressed in the Mll-AF9 derived cells, we performed a two-way ANOVA (with the genotype and cell type as the two variables) allowing for a false discovery rate of 10%. In this analysis, we found that 76 genes were up-regulated in all Mll-AF9 progenitor cells compared to their wild-type counterparts. This list included known targets of Mll-fusion proteins Hoxa5, Hoxa7, Hoxa9 and Hoxa10. Also included were Evi1 and Mef2c, two genes that have been implicated in promoting enhanced self-renewal of murine hematopoietic cells. Importantly, in wild type mice, these 6 genes were expressed at higher levels in HSCs and CLPs compared to CMPs and GMPs (average 3–25 fold). While we observed an average 2–10 fold increase in expression of these genes in all Mll-AF9 cell types compared to their respective wild type controls, the expression level was 3–8 fold higher in Mll-AF9 HSCs and CLPs compared to CMPs and GMPs. Thus, the expression of genes known to be intrinsically related to self-renewal is further enhanced as a result of the Mll-AF9 fusion gene. In conclusion, while activation of the Mll-AF9 genetic program and the resulting enhanced self-renewal occurs in all 4 cell types studied, these effects are greatest in HSCs and CLPs. Thus, HSCs and CLPs are likely to be more efficient than CMPs and GMPs in producing cellular expansion and targets for cooperating mutations resulting in leukemia.

FIP1L1/PDGFRa Synergizes with SCF/c-Kit Signaling To Induce Systemic Mastocytosis in a Chronic Eosinophilic Leukemia Murine Model

Blood ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 110 (11) ◽  
pp. 1540-1540
Author(s):  
Yoshiyuki Yamada ◽  
Jose A. Cancelas ◽  
Eric B. Brandt ◽  
Abel Sanchez-Aguilera ◽  
Melissa McBride ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Small Intestine ◽  
Murine Model ◽  
Fusion Gene ◽  
Systemic Mastocytosis ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Chronic Eosinophilic Leukemia

Abstract Systemic mastocytosis (SM) associated with chronic eosinophilic leukemia (CEL)/hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) is a result of expression of the Fip1-like1 (FIP1L1)/platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRa) (F/P) fusion gene. We have previously described a murine CEL/HES model (CEL-like mice) induced by F/P fusion gene transduction and T-cell overexpression of IL-5 (Yamada Y et al., Blood 2006). We have now validated a preclinical murine model of F/P-induced SM/CEL and analyzed the pathogenesis of SM in this model. F/P+ mast cells (MC, defined as EGFP+/c-kit+/FceRI+) were significantly increased in the small intestine, bone marrow (BM) and spleen of CEL-like mice compared to wild-type mice (Table). CEL-like mice also developed cutaneous MC infiltration. In addition, mMCP-1 serum levels, which correlate well with MC expansion and activation in vivo, were significantly higher in CEL-like mice than in wild-type mice (64,000 ± 23,800 and 38 ± 41.4 pg/ml, respectively). F/P induces increased expansion of BM-derived MC in vitro (∼2,000-fold) and F/P+ BM-derived MC survive longer than wild-type MC in cytokine-deprived medium (28.0 ± 2.3% vs. 8.7 ± 3.1% 7AAD−/Annexin V− cells after 48 hours). This correlated with increased Akt phosphorylation in the F/P+ MC. Since c-kit mutations are the most frequent cause of SM, we analyzed the possible synergistic role of SCF and F/P signaling. F/P and SCF/c-kit signaling indeed synergize in the development of BM-derived MC (16-fold greater expansion than in the absence of SCF) and F/P+ BM-derived MC showed a 3.7-fold greater migratory response to SCF than wild-type BM-derived MC. In order to determine the role of SCF/c-kit signaling in F/P+ MC development, activation and tissue infiltration in vivo,these responses were evaluated in mice that were treated with a blocking anti-c-kit blocking antibody, ACK-2, or an isotype-matched control antibody. ACK-2 treatment suppressed intestinal MC infiltration and elevated plasma levels of mMCP-1 induced by F/P expression by 95 ± 6.0% and 98 ± 0.76%, respectively, whereas MC and plasma mMCP-1 were completely undetectable in wild-type mice treated with ACK2. This suggests that SCF/c-kit interactions may synergize with F/P to induce SM. In summary, mice with CEL-like disease also develop SM. F/P-induced SM is a result of increased in vivo MC proliferation, survival, activation and tissue infiltration. SCF/c-kit signaling synergizes with F/P in vivo and in vitro to promote mast cell development, activation and survival. EGFP+/c-kit+/FcεRI+ cell frequency in tissues of control and CEL-like mice (%) Control mice CEL-like mice Small intestine 1.0±0.95 47±21.4* Bone marrow 0.2±0.14 3±1.9* Spleen 0.05±0.01 3±0.8*

PAX5/TEL Exhibits a Dominant-Negative Role by Inhibiting the Expression of Genes Involved in BCR Signalling and Suppressing the Binding of Wild Type PAX5 to Its Direct Target Gene CD79A (mb-1) in a human Pre-B ALL Cell Line.

Blood ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 114 (22) ◽  
pp. 3455-3455
Author(s):  
Gabriela B. Iwanski ◽  
Nils Heinrich Thoennissen ◽  
PohYeen Lor ◽  
Norihiko Kawamata ◽  
Daniel Nowak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
B Cell ◽  
Cell Line ◽  
Fusion Gene ◽  
Cell Receptor ◽  
Dominant Negative ◽  
Fusion Product ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Downstream Target

Abstract Abstract 3455 Poster Board III-343 Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), one of the most common malignancies in childhood, is a heterogeneous disease with individual leukemia subtypes differing in their response to chemotherapy. Recent findings suggest that disruptions of B cell receptor (BCR) signalling pathways may be involved in the development of ALL. The transcription factor PAX5 is essential for the commitment of lymphoid progenitors to the B-lymphocytic lineage. In 30% of childhood B-ALL cases, PAX5 is a frequent target of aberrancies, showing monoallelic loss, point mutations, or chromosomal translocations, whereas the role of these aberrancies is still poorly understood. Using high resolution SNP-chip analysis, we have recently identified several candidate partner genes fused to PAX5 in pediatric ALL, ETV6 (TEL), FOXP1, AUTS2, C20orf112, which bind to PAX5 recognition sequences as strongly as wild-type PAX5 (wt PAX5) suppressing its transcriptional activity in a dominant-negative fashion. In order to study the role of PAX5/TEL in leukemic evolution of B-ALL, we transfected the leukemic BCP cell line Nalm 6, which endogenously expresses PAX5, with a retroviral vector encoding PAX5/TEL and confirmed its expression by Western blotting and RT-PCR. Previously, the fusion gene PAX5/TEL has been cloned into the retroviral vector pMSCV-IRES-GFP (MIGR) from a patient diagnosed with B-cell precursor ALL (BCP) with t(9;12)(q11;p13). This fusion product consists of the 5′-end NH2 terminal region of the PAX5 gene and the almost whole sequence of the TEL gene. PAX5/TEL-MIGR expressing cells were sorted for GFP and analyzed by gene expression profiling on Affymetrix HG-U133 plus 2.0 Array in comparison to cells transfected with vector control (MIGR) and a MIGR vector encoding wt PAX5 (wtPAX5/MIGR). The probes were normalized with the Affymetrix MAS5.0 software. Probes were considered to be differentially expressed with a fold change ≤ 2 or ≥ 2, respectively. We identified a set of about 200 genes that were differentially expressed in the PAX5/TEL expressing cells, most of which were downregulated, compared to the controls. A subset of these genes encodes proteins important for BCR signalling: RAG1, one of two key mediators in the process of V(D)J recombination, VPREB3, which is involved in the early phase of pre-BCR assembly, the Runt domain transcription factor Runx1 (AML1) and FOXP1. The latter two genes are fusion partners of PAX5 in pediatric B-ALL and loss of FOXP1 leads to impaired DH–JH and VH–DJH rearrangement. Additionally, we found BACH2, which plays an important role during B-cell development, as well as protein kinase C-epsilon (PKCe) to be downregulated. PKCe is highly expressed in B cells linking the BCR to the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK). We confirmed the downregulation of the affected genes by RT-PCR. Strikingly, VPREB3 expression showed a significant downregulation of up to 170-fold, and RAG1 up to 90-fold. Loss of the RAG1/2 locus has been found in four precursor B-cell ALL cases, which indicates that defects in this process might contribute to leukemogenesis. We also detected a significant decrease in the expression of wt PAX5 as well as its direct downstream target CD79A (mb-1). CD79A (mb-1) encodes the B cell receptor component Ig-a and its early B cell-specific mb-1 promoter is a target for regulation by early B cell-specific transcription factors like E2A, early B cell factor (EBF), and PAX5. The latter is important for the activation of the mb-1 promoter by recruiting Ets proteins through protein-protein interactions. We investigated the binding efficiency of wt PAX5 to the promoter region of CD79A by chromatin-immunoprecipitation (ChIP). For the ChIP assay, we used a PAX5 antibody detecting the C-terminal region of PAX5 so that the antibody can bind the wt PAX5 but not the fusion product PAX5/TEL of which the C-terminal side is fused to TEL. Binding of wt PAX5 to the promoter region of CD79A was diminished by expression of the PAX5/TEL-fusion protein compared to the controls, leading to repression of CD79A, which we also confirmed by RT-PCR. In conclusion, we show that the expression of PAX5/TEL in a leukemic cell line has a repressor function on the expression of wt PAX5 as well as other genes important in BCR signalling. Also, we demonstrated that PAX5/TEL has a negative impact on the binding affinity of one of the direct downstream target genes of wt PAX5. Our results indicate a repressor role of the fusion gene PAX5/TEL including BCR signalling and point towards its contribution to leukemic transformation. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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